Claremont Hires New Police Chief

CLAREMONT — Costa Mesa Police Capt. Robert Moody will take charge of the Claremont Police Department July 17, giving the city its first permanent police chief in almost a year, City Manager Glenn Southard announced last week.

Moody, 54, who has been in law enforcement for 32 years, was hailed by Southard as "a seasoned professional with a broad base of experience."

Moody succeeds Jimmie Kennedy, who was hired as interim police chief in January after the resignation of Dexter Atkinson.

Atkinson resigned in December after a four-month investigation of allegations that he allowed a three-time convicted drunk driver to supervise remodeling work at the police station in lieu of serving required jail time.

Southard had placed Atkinson on paid administrative leave last August.